City clerk job safe, for now, in Rolling Meadows

Despite Rolling Meadows Mayor Ken Nelson's belief that the city clerk position is outdated and could be abolished, the city council spoke firmly this week in favor of keeping it.

Several aldermen said the city clerk is a valuable post, and well worth the $3,000 stipend the clerk is paid each year.

Nelson put his suggestion on Tuesday's city council agenda so aldermen could discuss it. He said his proposal was not a personal attack on City Clerk Lisa Hinman or anyone else.

"This is not a slam on Lisa or any of her predecessors ... but the duties of the city clerk have changed dramatically over the past 50 years," Nelson said.

The city clerk is an elected official, and residents would have to vote to abolish the post. Nelson asked aldermen to consider putting a referendum on the November general election ballot.

He said he believes someone in the city administration - most likely the deputy clerk - could effectively do the job without a pay increase. That person would sign documents and take minutes at city meetings, among other duties.

Nelson reminded aldermen that Rolling Meadows abolished the elected city treasurer position in recent years, folding those duties into the city finance department.

Nelson's argument did not sway most aldermen. Aldermen Glenn Adams and Barb Lusk were willing to discuss it further at the next meeting, but the other five were not.

"I think there's a tremendous value in ... spending $3,000 in somebody wanting to do it to the point where they have to run for the election, their heart is in it," said Alderman John Pitzaferro.

Alderman Larry Buske said he didn't want to eliminate a job that residents vote on.

"I'd sooner have the right to vote. I'm not for taking voting rights away from the people," Buske said.

Alderman John D'Astice said he worried that the staffer given the clerk's duties may not be able to handle the extra load.

After hearing from the majority of alderman, Nelson abandoned his proposal and said the position would be left as is without further discussion.

Hinman could not be reached for comment.